Comments on: Lemonade

By: MsDenise

MsDenise — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:05 +0000

I have always thought that *America* was a song that no one, including Neil DIamond, should EVER sing.
Then David sang it and I wanted to grab a flag and run up and down the streets of West Philadelphia where I live screaming *let freeedommm ring! YES!!!! FREEEDOMMMMMMM!!!*.

He was just incredible.

By: trahnc

trahnc — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:26:11 +0000

I am a huge DA fan and have downloaded most of his videos and all of his studio recordings… until this week. Granted, I am not a Neil Diamond fan. Know a lot of his music, but just don’t care for much of it. And usually I love anything David puts his voice to.. but this week… I am sorry… with that full band and the song choices, it really sounded like a bit of Lawrence Welk. Does anyone remember that show? I hope next week he is back on track and he has GOT to move away from the Lawrence Welk sound if he wants to make it to the finals.

By: Me2

Me2 — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:18:52 +0000

I love the premise of this entry….I foresaw a trainwreck with Neil Diamond’s songbook. ND’s songs are suited perfectly for his own voice…something that David Cook could easily emulate but not for many of the other contestants. I had doubts about what DA could do. I agree that he did what he could do with what he had. I think he performed solidly and I am glad to add his 2 live performances and his studio version to my ever growing DA collection. (As side point -- I kinda wish he mentioned that he did America for his mom who immigrated from Honduras and not to tug on the heartstrings of the American voting public.)

By: baobabs727

baobabs727 — Fri, 02 May 2008 00:04:20 +0000

Great blog! The studio version is really great. Just listen carefully to 1:23-1:53 or so. David rises above the arrangement--even the song, itself! His level of sophistication and musicality is astonishing for a 17 year old. Bravo.

By: RIKA

RIKA — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:06:44 +0000

Great Review. I loved David’s Sweet Caroline and America. I have been humming Sweet Caroline every minute, from home to work. David Archuleta has proven to us who he is and how passionate he is with music. He has won the heart and soul of the many and enough reason for us to continue to support him not only on this reality show. David has been real to all and receiving the title now is in the hands of his fan. We have to FOCUS and VOTE. David is not only the American Idol but the GLOBAL IDOL. The luck is already in David’s palm and definitely he will last for another century. Again, VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

By: Janey

Janey — Thu, 01 May 2008 06:44:29 +0000

While I loved last night’s performances, especially “America,” I can’t help but feel bittersweet when I think of the impact the AI experience might have on our young artist. Grateful always, for introducing David to the world, and concern too, that the the endless task of pleasing everyone might take it’s toll on the creative process. I can’t wait for David to step away from Idol . I eagerly await to see what’s next for him, and for us.

By: CzKing

CzKing — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:31:25 +0000

Great review. David did a good job last night and had the energy and essence of Neil Diamond’s music. I could not imagine how he would do Diamond’s songs and I thought he performed extremely well with the assignment he had been given.

I am grateful for this site and your insights. AI is a competition and winning is, as always, sweet. David has nothing left to prove to his fans. His future is wide open with endless possibilities. Good Luck, Best of Luck and All the Luck In the World to him!

By: abcidol

abcidol — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:15:48 +0000

I find this site so refreshing. It’s nice to hear an objective and constructive point of view from a true fan of David’s gifts. Thanks Rascal!

Your heading sums up my feelings about last night. David did what he could. He’s in a tough spot -- a “Shop Around”, “Waiting on the World” vibe was long overdue (his fans understandably want to see his versatility and know he can deliver). But his songs last night were the best the ND songbook had to offer for the occasion. For me, I’m mostly saddened that we have not experienced the full extent of what he’s capable of delivering, due in large part to the difficult themes, and perhaps some of the pressure that naturally comes with being on the show. I have to confess, I miss the enjoyment I saw in the auditions and Shop Around and the carefree passion I saw in Imagine. I hope to see that soon.

It’s true that Cook has the advantage of having had more experience performing on stage. I read somewhere that over a period of about 10 years he and his band have performed at least 400 songs. Not to mention the confidence that naturally comes with age. (Good Lord -- did I even know who I was at 17?) But I still believe David A has far more potential as well as the unique gifts and soul of a true musician.

By: damian

damian — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:36:44 +0000

The entire night felt like a trainwreck artistically.
Remember when, during the earliest days of AI7, David would sing “Waiting on the World to Change”, Gnarls Barkley, Brian Adams , etc? He naturally chose songs that were relevant to his musical talent & age, that expressed who he was as an artist. Outside of a karaoke bar, I can’t see any of the contestants ever choosing to sing the songs they sang last night!
Lately it seems that Simon is unable to compliment Archuleta without taking on a snide/cynical tone. He seems dismissive, while at the same time somewhat intimidated and confused by David’s capabilities. Simon just had a #1 song in Britain with “When You Believe” by a singer that pales miserably in comparison to David A (& clearly Simon knows it!).
However, it also seems clear that David Cook is the more “average”/commercial talent and therefore considered more marketable (which is , after all, the entire purpose of the show).

By: hifi2020-mark

hifi2020-mark — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:18:32 +0000

Neil Diamond’s voice is more like a cowboy than a prince, Have you ever heard the end of his live recording when his voice is wasted from screaming. Neil’s songs are not designed for a voice as refined as Davids, It’s like Ella Fitzgerald sining death metal or some kind of heavy rap song. I agree this theme stuff is for the birds.

I also think David would do better signing with Sony or RCA, both want them and probably a dozen more are in line behind them. At least he won’t be stuck singing everything someone else wants, he will be able to do what he wants.

Thanks again rascal for your reviews, I just love them, This is one of the first places to go.